President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA), dismissing opposition criticism as politically motivated and highlighting the programme’s rapid registration and funding milestones. Speaking at a gathering with Maendeleo ya Wanawake, the president characterized the new health insurance scheme as a transformative initiative that is already delivering measurable benefits across the country.
Ruto addressed recent claims that the SHA would collapse within six months, a prediction previously made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The president stated that such assertions lack factual grounding and are driven by political agendas rather than an understanding of the healthcare reforms. He noted that many critics have not registered for the scheme and compared their warnings to previous opposition against major government projects, including the redevelopment of the Bomas of Kenya conference centre, which is now nearing completion.
According to government data, the SHA has registered more than 30 million Kenyans since its rollout began. The administration has disbursed approximately 121 billion Kenyan shillings to healthcare facilities under the new system, marking the highest allocation to medical institutions in the country’s history. Ruto emphasized that the programme is designed to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses that previously forced families to sell assets to cover medical bills. He cited reports of households receiving coverage ranging from 20,000 to one million shillings for treatment, indicating early financial relief at the community level.
The SHA replaces the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as part of a broader strategy to restructure Kenya’s healthcare financing and expand access to medical services. The transition involves a shift from flat-rate contributions to an income-based model, aiming to improve equity and financial sustainability within the public health sector. Officials continue to urge eligible citizens to complete their registration to access benefits.
As the rollout progresses, the administration has reiterated its commitment to addressing implementation challenges while maintaining that the SHA remains central to Kenya’s long-term healthcare objectives. The government expects registration numbers to rise as public awareness campaigns continue and facility-level operations stabilize.
